49ers head coach Bobby Lutz huddles up with his team from Camp Virginia, Kuwait. |
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Bobby Lutz returns to Kuwait to coach, meet troops during Operation Hardwood II
May 24, 2006
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -
By Sgt. Robert Adams 3rd Army public affairs office
Bobby Lutz, head coach of the Charlotte 49ers, made a return trip to Kuwait along with 12 other NCAA basketball coaches and sports personalities, to coach a military team in the Operation Hardwood II basketball tournament May 23-28.
Lutz is again coaching troops from Camp Virginia, Kuwait. In addition to coaching, Lutz will again get the chance to a ride in a tank, a Bradley fighting vehicle and on a camel. The coaches will also visit troops at the medical hospital, tour the Humvee up-armor facility, stay in Army barracks, and hold a basketball clinic for Kuwait children in Kuwait City.
"I can honestly tell you that I have never felt as honored to be an American when I came and experienced this with all of you," Lutz said in August.
Lutz said his most memorable experience was during the national anthem at last year's Operation Hardwood.
"That was the most moving anthem I've ever experienced as a player or coach," Lutz said. "During every national anthem this year I touched my United Services Organization pin I received over there."
When Lutz isn't coaching his team, he is signing autographs and taking pictures with troops. He was very thankful for being able to attend the event and meet with servicemembers.
"From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for what you do and we are going to make sure that every one at home appreciates what you do everyday," Lutz said.
The Operation Hardwood "Hoops with the Troops" tournament consists of 12 teams of servicemembers from the seven Kuwait military camps. The teams will play games in one of three pools. How they perform during pool play will determine their seeding for the single-elimination tournament.
The other coaches are Tubby Smith, Kentucky, Tom Izzo, Michigan State, Gary Williams, Maryland, Mark Gottfried, Alabama, Dave Odom, South Carolina, Kelvin Sampson, Indiana, Rick Barnes, Texas, Reggie Menton, Air Force Academy, Jim Crews, West Point, Billy Lange, Naval Academy, and Jay Bilas, ESPN analyst.
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